As promised the first Epilogue. As promised, three more are to come.
Now, read.
Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
Epilogue 1: Eternal prisoner of choice.
"We are all prisoners in this world. It's time to set the wicked free." -Legion High Commander Gharst Omenlumin
Location: Sangheili colony of lemer seqesg, Covenant Space
Date: 06-03-2549
Elder Rikatee moved around in his tower, as the ships entered the planet's atmosphere. He was uneasy. Councilors he'd known for decades were disappearing. Their colonies all fell to the marauders that had been plaguing Sangheili space for years. He didn't know who they were, or who they owed allegiance to, but they were dangerous. For he'd noticed that under the guise of these raids, ships have been disappearing for decades. And, if he had his math right, that number was now over a thousand. More than enough to challenge the Covenant Armada if it wished. For while the Covenant may have seemed strong, it kept losing ships to these raids and the effort of the UNSC.
And to the blind urge of the Sangheili to gain honor, of course. The worst example he could make of that strive for honor was when over three hundred ships had been lost when Admiral Cole lured them in range of a star, and made it go nova. All hands were lost in that engagement, and it had made clear to Rikatee that much needed to be changed. Hence, why-
He heard a sound. While he should be alone in this room.
"I know why you have come." He said to the shimmer he could see from the corner of his eye. He turned to it. "You need not hide your assassins."
Indeed, a figure decloaked itself. But it was the last person Rikatee had expected to see here.
Gharst Omenlumin, disgraced Fleetmaster of the Covenant. Now, as word would have it, a mere mercenary barely making enough income to eat. Clearly, the rumors were wrong.
Hiding his surprise, he gestured at the field outside, where his young sons were playing in the field. "I just ask you to not harm my sons." They were his dearest possessions. His legacy. He would not risk losing them.
Gharst, still silent, nodded at a figure to his right. A Sangheili in black-and-red Spec-ops Armor that was heavily modified appeared next to him, deactivating his active Camouflage. A twin of it, both wielding human shotguns, appeared on his other flank.
"There is nothing I can say that will change your minds, that is clear." he said, his voice gravelly with age. "My fate is sealed. But I accept it." He held up his hand to forestall any reply.
"But before you enact your duty, may I ask you a question? I know you think nothing of honor. But take pity, and honor an old fool's last request."
Gharst nodded, and the odd soldiers cloaked themselves again. Gharst approached him.
"Pity is earned, not given." He said. "But I do have a few minutes to spare. Make them useful."
"Thank you." Rikatee said. "Tell me, was it worth it?" he was taking a gamble here. The rumors about Gharst seemed to be wrong, and clearly, he made enough to not only modify his own armor, but that of the people he hired. And they stayed loyal enough that they actually obeyed his commands. If that was true, he could for that account also be the leader of the marauders that had been raiding Covenant space. And Gharst would have been the one that murdered all those councilors in revenge.
"Was the time, the effort of tracking them all down, worth it?"
Gharst pondered that, before he answered. "I have spent the entire war considered a failure to the entire Covenant. There wasn't a day, when I was not beaten, and humiliated in front of all. I watched my men die. I watched myself be broken, day after day!"
He was raising his voice now. "The only thought that kept me alive, fueled me, was the thought of their fall. When they would lose their power, and I could use them just as they would use me." He paused. "I did just that. Their deaths bring me closer to my goal. Their colonies fund my armies. So yes, the time spent on tracking them down was well worth it."
Rikatee looked at his old friend, and what he had become: a monster. He had heard that Tulam'ee's entire family had been killed by the marauders, and now that Gharst had confirmed that he was responsible for all their deaths, Rikatee knew Gharst had lost his sense of morality concerning any obstacles, and only saw them as beings he could use.
Still, something puzzled him. "So, it was not vengeance you sought, but resources?"
"Where once I commanded seven thousand strong, now I command seventy million." Gharst answered. "Do you think I can afford to waste time on petty revenge? No. their colonies were rich, and I needed them. The fact that those fools were greedy enough to personally oversee their growth, only made so much more worth it."
"If you do not seek revenge, but resources, why have you come here?"Rikatee asked. "I command no soldiers, have no power. Why have you come."
"During my tribunal, you were hesitant in your decision." Gharst answered, and he tilted his head in curiosity. "I like making a spectacle for my troops. They enjoy the theatrics. Tulam'ee's death was by far my best performance." He paused, composing his words. "My soldiers deserve entertainment. But I need a script on which to act upon. You are an enigma to me."
He then looked Rikatee in the eyes again. "So tell me: why have you hesitated?"
"You are a crude and efficient warrior, Gharst." Rikatee told him. "I do not blame you for what you have become. When you stood before us then, I did not see what I see in front of me now. I hesitated because I believed that your actions had not affected the invasion. I saw no treason, no deceit. I did not agree with the rest. But nothing I said changed the outcome."
He glared at Gharst. "You speak of prison? I was stripped of my rank as well. I was cast out." he gestured to the near-barren world around him. "Why do you think I am here, and not back on Sanghelios?"
"More excuses do not grant you retribution."Gharst said. "I do, however, have another question for you. If you could go back, would you change your decision?"
"I might not have a spot on the Council. But they took away my rank, not my honor, Gharst!" he yelled. "No, I would not! I will stand by my decision I have made! I Will stand by the Path I have carved for myself! I stand by my choice!"
He took a step towards Gharst. "Now why did you come here if not to kill me?"
"I needed to see your eyes." Gharst answered. "I needed to see the pain in them. I wanted you to say it. Now look into mine." Gharst stepped forward. "What do you see?"
"What in the Great Beyo-" he started, but Gharst didn't let him finish.
"LOOK INTO THEM!" he demanded.
Rikatee stared for a moment. After a moment, Rikatee, couldn't figure it out. "What do you want from me?" he asked, confused. It was clear Gharst wanted something from him. But what?
"War is coming to your worlds." Gharst answered, in a warning tone. "Star sectors will fall before you! Stars will burn out! Worlds will turn into glass, and when the smoke clears, the shattered pieces will need guidance." Gharst pointed at his chest, and Rikatee was starting to get unnerved by all this.
"You are a Historian." He continued. "Tell me: What will happen when the Covenant Falls? What will happen to all your peo-"
"They are your people too." Rikatee said.
"No."Gharst retorted. "My people are above us, in the ships. They are my Legion. They are my Soldiers. They are my Family. You are a prisoner of your own choice, Rikatee. I am giving you a chance to escape this prison. To redeem yourself before your gods."
Rikatee was getting more nervous by the minute, with Gharst's rant. What in the nine Ibie'shan hells was Gharst talking about?
"Run. Hide. But when the war passes, the one after the Human-Covenant war, Sanghelios will need guidance. She will need wisdom and hope of salvation."
"You speak of madness!"Rikatee retorted, though he didn't feel as confident as he sounded. "What have you seen?" he started taking a few steps back. "Have the gods cursed your mind? You are insane!"
"I have seen the dark path that is ahead of us."Gharst answered. "I have seen the storm, the flood of it. The Darkness. And it is coming here, Rikatee." Gharst raised his Human-made Assault Rifle, aiming it at Rikatee. "This is your last chance. Take your sons, and hide. My soldiers will not stop you."
Rikatee stepped back, eager to get away from the mad Sangheili. "You speak of madness. May the gods have mercy on your soul." And with that, he ran off, gathered his sons, and ran, into the fields. Gharst trailed him outside.
"I have no soul!" he called out after him, before letting out a maniacal laugh. He then went back inside, and activated Rikatee's personal computer. He activated his com. "How did I do?" he asked.
"The look in his eyes when you started the 'madness' rant." Recko said, as he decloaked as well, before letting out a laugh. "Priceless. Killing him would be easier. But I can't deny the entertainment value."
Gharst let out a laugh of his own. "Now, I believe you owe me something."
Recko's expression turned serious, and dismayed. "Hey! We agreed only if he screams out of fear and runs off did you get your share."
"Well, he did run, didn't he?" Gharst retorted jokingly, before returning his attention back to the computer, and the database it contained. "I expect it to be delivered to my quarters once we get back to the ship."
Recko sighed. "Next time, I make the rules."
Gharst chuckled, before he pressed the final button. Jan appeared on the console. "Jan, is the uplink ready?"
"Connection established." Jan answered. "Data's being transferred now." He paused. "So, who won?"
"Does it really matter?" Recko tried to dismiss Jan. "We have a job to do."
"oh hohoho." Jan laughed, satisfaction filling his voice after winning the bet as well. "So I get the other half, right? I told you you would lose this one."
"Sorry, what? I can't really hear you. Com is getting kind of choppy." Recko said, as he moved his finger to the button to silence Jan.
"Don't you da-!"Jan started, but Recko pushed the button, and Jan was silenced. Recko turned to Gharst. "So. Anything useful?"
Gharst looked through the summary of the data. "Most of these archives are about the known Forerunner Ruins and Tech. The rest are mostly poems regarding 'the god's will'."
"Do you really think he will hide?" Recko asked.
"Not at all." Gharst answered. "Dispatch three telemetry monitoring units into low orbit. He will spread the word of war, and he will put his own religious spin on it. Still, the people here will be prepared for what is to come."
Recko nodded. "I'll dispatch a few Cerberus units. The last thing we need is religious activists gunning people down in name of their gods, least of all here."
"I want all names of his followers." Gharst said, "Along with all their Bank accounts and-"
At that point, Gharst was interrupted by one of their communications officers. "Sir, incoming slipspace signature seventeen thousand kilometers from the surface."
"Fleet's ready to fire." Jan said. "Five seconds until visual. Three, two-"
At that point, a signal interrupted him. "This is Fleet admiral Lumier of the third Colonial Fleet. Hold your fire. I mean no harm." A French man interrupted Jan. After a second, fifteen ships rounded the planet's orbit, and came into visual of Gharst's fleet.
"Hold your fire." Gharst immediately ordered. "They speak the truth. All units, resume priority objectives"
"Copy that. Powering down guns." Jan acknowledged. The other legionnaires sent out similar affirmatives.
Gharst turned to the admiral, who had appeared on his own console as well. "Stand by Admiral."
"Copy that." Lumier said, as he nodded.
Gharst turned to Jan, who had reappeared. "Jan?"
"You approved them four days ago." He answered. "They meet the specs and ship design. Fifteen ships total."
"Fifteen Ships." Gharst said. Calculating in his head. "Admiral, what is your Cargo capacity?" he asked after a moment of silence.
"A little over four hundred thousand tons, Sir." Lumier answered. "And thank you, commander. Thank you for your assistance."
Gharst nodded, before returning his attention to a new potential commander under him. "Admiral, your fleet will be detained and escorted to a processing Sector. I assume Agent Solomon has debriefed you on the situation?"
"Yes sir. We are purging all known system coordinates of data right now."
"I will send a shuttle your way." Gharst said. "I would like to meet you in person."
"Understood, Commander. Thank you for the opportunity. Lumier out." He said, as he disappeared from the screen. Gharst turned to Jan.
"Jan, Have a fleet sent to escort their ships, and have Cerberus scan for any anomalies. Run a general scan of their systems, as well."
"Already on it." He answered.
"Your plan had better work." Recko said.
"Our friends have lots more to lose than we do." He reassured him. "And-"
He was interrupted, as his personal AI, Hades, alerted him to something he found in Rikatee's computer. Gharst looked at it. He smiled. "I think we've found it." he said. "Jan, do you see it?"
Jan looked over the data. "Some scroll holo's. But how did he get it? I thought all these were destroyed during the Contact War."
"Siphon it to our research station, and run another Profile check on Rikatee. If he managed to retain a part of the lost Archives, then chances are there are more. Maintain connection, Jan. I want every bit of that data analyzed." He turned to Recko. "Wrap it up down here." He said, as he moved off. "I have a fleet to buy out."
Three hours Later, Legion Flagship The Redemption.
Gharst stood in his impromptu Throne hall, as he and Lumier moved to Greet each other. Gharst held out his hand for shaking, and after a moment, Lumier took it. Officially, their species were still at war, with Humanity being driven towards extinction. Yet, here they were, Lumier in his Admiral's uniform and Gharst in his Field-Marshal armor, cleaned for the occasion, greeting each other.
How little Lumier knew he was being tricked, even right now.
"Admiral." Gharst began. "I am glad you took upon our offer."
"It was hard to Refuse, Commander." Lumier answered, his French accent noticeable. He was a short man, even for a human. He was Caucasian, bald, and had a thin, typical French Mustache. And yet, he carried himself as a man of Authority, even here.
"We have been under constant attack for months by UNSC Blockade ships. I would like to thank you once more, for the assistance you've provided us, and the opportunity you've given us."
"I must be frank, Admiral." Gharst falsely confessed. "Our presence in your sector was not intentional. As far as we knew, you didn't even exist."
Gharst paused, to let that sink in. he pretended that, even without knowing him, and knowing his species and the admiral's species were at war with each other, he had helped him from 'the goodness of his Heart'. If the Admiral knew the Truth, he would likely grab his sidearm and shoot Gharst on the spot. But he didn't, and so, Gharst continued the façade.
But, if he was honest, he could use every ship he could get, with the situation at the Sovereign Colonies slowly getting out of hand. And even with over a Thousand ships at his command, he didn't know if he would be victorious.
Not against this foe.
"A small Colony on the outer reaches of Human space, beyond your usual boarders." Gharst continued. "What made the UNSC go to such lengths to blockade such a lightly populated Planet?"
"I wish I knew, Commander." Lumier answered. "But we had not received any warnings. Our cargo ships and orbital stations were… to put it simply, shot down."
"Did you retain the Data on our fleet?" Gharst asked.
"No." Lumier answered. "As you ordered, all data even hinting about your presence has been erased. Solomon Kaiser was very clear about the terms."
Inwardly, Gharst sighed in relief. They could still remain hidden, for now. They still had a few months to gather more forces, as the war was drawing to its conclusion. And when that happened, Gharst and his Legions would be there to rise from the ashes. But still, he needed to be careful, and so, measures such as these were taken.
He needed every hour that he was unknown to the masses at large.
"Good, Admiral." He said. "Good. Now, on to business. You know that once you've made it, the decision is final. There is no leeway, no alternate terms. I must warn you, Admiral: We tolerate no treason, nor disloyalty. Once you accept my offer, there is no going back."
"Commander." Lumier started. "I watched Civilian ships being shot down. I saw Agricultural stations being blown out of the sky. Machines be damned, but they killed innocent people. I wonder why. For what?"
"What makes you think we do not do the same?" Gharst challenged.
Lumier took on a disinterested expression. "They won't be my people, Commander. They won't be mine. Hence, I feel no guilt towards them."
Gharst was pleased with this answer. So long as his civilians were safe, he would have Lumier's loyalty. Also, the man would likely execute any order Gharst gave, yet still capable of taking initiative and creative thinking. Good. He could use that. Still, he had to keep up appearances. "Admiral, that's a heartless statement." he stated with false shock.
"Then I am a heartless man." Lumier retorted. Gharst nodded in acknowledgement.
"The UNSC won't leave your world alone. There's only one solution: Complete evacuation and relocation." He paused. "I will provide security and transport detail."
Lumier thought that over. "We have no other place to go, Commander. Even if we could evacuate them all, where would we stay?"
"That will be your decision. Consider it… a choice. Your Fleet, your soldiers, your loyalty, and your word. In exchange for the safety of your civilians, and a new world to call home. Our world."
"But what about our homes, our lives? Tiaranthan was our home for decades." Lumier persisted.
"What is the population of your world?" Gharst asked.
"Roughly three hundred and fifty thousand." Lumier answered, surprised by Gharst's change of tac.
Gharst turned to a holodrone. Jan appeared from it. "Jan, how much of the housing on Phoenix is complete?" he asked him.
"Kyoto's 26% complete, Commander. We can accommodate the colonists there."
Gharst nodded, and the Holodrone deactivated. He turned his gaze to Lumier. "There's your answer, Admiral. I assume there won't be a problem with your government?"
"No." Lumier answered, relief evident in his voice. His people would be safe, and he would no longer have to worry about them. They had a future again. "I am the only one left in our line of succession. Our parliament suffered a great accident due to terrorist suicide bombers a few months ago. There were no survivors." He paused, his voice showing his grief at the hardship his people suffered for months.
Indirectly at Gharst's hand.
"It dealt a devastating blow to us. And with the UNSC Blockade… Commander, I will do whatever you need. No one else came during our time of need. Your offer exceeds any expectations."
Gharst nodded. It was fortunate this one, for all his tactical skill, was so short-sighted. He didn't wonder why the UNSC would blockade his world when they were being brought to the brink of destruction by the war with the Covenant. He didn't wonder why, when all seems lost, suddenly, miraculously, a group of mercenaries would suddenly come to their aid. Maybe he would wonder about it later, but for now, he didn't think it through.
"I am glad you see reason, Admiral. Commander Yan'shu" he pointed to the Sangheili in Red General armor, the one that had let Lumier in, and would be the liaison between Gharst and Lumier in the future "will bring you up to speed, and provide your people with all they'll need to evacuate and relocate to Phoenix. I will divert all ships I can to ensure the safety of your people during transit. He will also help you fill out all the necessary paperwork that may be needed for enterprises such as this."
Lumier nodded. "Thank you, Commander. We are proud to be a part of the Legion."
Gharst knew they needn't worry about any anti-alien mongering from these humans. Lumier had seen first-hand how Brutes and Elites saved them from their own government that was supposed to protect them. Gharst knew Lumier's people would get along with the others they'd rescued without trouble.
Gharst watched, as Lumier and Yan'shu walked away, both discussing the finer details of the alliance between them. He walked to his desk, and raised Recko.
"Recko, I expect my winnings to be wrapped up nicely." He said with satisfaction. He knew Recko was sour after losing another bet to Gharst.
On only the first day the three of them started betting on different outcomes.
To make it even worse for Recko, he was the one that brought the idea up with Gharst.
"Is it wrong for us to bet on things like this?" the man asked him.
"Was it not your initiative to create such a betting pool?" Gharst asked, rubbing salt into the wound.
"I did not expect you to win every single bet in one day!" Recko retorted. "That's a bit too much, even for my taste."
But sure enough, Recko transmitted a nice Check Gharst could withdraw from the Main Legion Bank. He read it over.
Operation: "Snake Pit"
Status: Complete
Expenses: 15.000
Bid: 79.000
Unit Salary: 35.000
Bonus: 5.000
Profit: 15.000
Transferred to: Legionary Armada High Commander Gharst Omenlumin
Signed by: Legionary Armada High Colonel Gregory Recko Junior
"So."Recko said after a moment. "Shall I call off the UNSC Brigands?"
"Not yet." Gharst answered. "Pulling them out now would be rather suspicious. Make them keep their distance from our fleets. Ask them to make a few potshots at the Transports to make it look Authentic. Promise them double pay for… believable maneuvers. Dispose of them all afterwards. Wipe them out as soon as the last of the Colonial vessels has left."
Gharst had to admit, Jan's plan was genius, and had worked out perfectly: Hiring UNSC Pirates to blockade a world for a few months, making it look like the UNSC was turning on its own colonies, then showing up to save the day, gaining the loyalty of the colonists in exchange for continued safety. And eliminating the pirates afterwards was no difficulty. The only bad part was that they would lose a few thousand credits every month due to hiring the pirates. But, considering the trillions they now had, it was no real issue.
"What about this place?" Recko asked from Rikatee's tower. "Shall I deploy the mining teams?"
"Negative." Gharst answered. "Leave this place be. Finish with the Data and get me the facility."
Reck nodded, and signed off. Gharst then brought Jan up again. "Jan, which unit will be eliminating the Pirates?"
"Cerberus unit 1.9.4." he answered.
He brought up their service record:
Unit 1.9.4
Completed Contracts: 16
Customer Satisfaction: 97%
Profit Percentage: 70%
Unit salary: 75.000 Standard rate
Bonus: 9%
Lost Operatives: 0
Promotion: Pending.
Gharst considered it for a moment, before he changed Pending to Granted. He closed it, and turned to Jan.
"Increase their pay, and classify their Contract terms." Gharst ordered. "Once the evacuation is complete, I want you to send down Mining teams to Tiaranthan. Strip the Planet of all Tier 6 Resources, Catalog all indigenous wildlife, and take samples back to Phoenix, enough to clone and inevitably continue the population of said species. That will satisfy the Colonists, and make them more loyal."
"Will do." Jan said, as he signed off. Gharst brought up another pair of reports that was sent his way. Both were interesting… in their own way. Gharst could only hope his suspicions about Phoenix' true nature would be proven Correct, as the First report told him they had discovered his last resort
Probe report
Tactical Data: Retrieved, Primary objective: completed, Secondary Objective: Completed
Requesting Satellite Data for Following Coordinates: 12, 56, 74, 23, 567- Full Scale Scan (FSS)
Target: Forerunner Installation
Type: Selective Targeting biological Weapon (STBW)
Codename(s):
Halo, Installation 03
Units En Route: 3rd Stormtrooper Legion, CU 1.4.3
So. They had found one of the so-called Rings. The ones the San'shyuum always wanted to find. Gharst would find it interesting to find out what was discovered there. Still, he had to be careful. They had already recovered data indicating that on every Halo, the same could happen that had happened on Aegis VII
And he would be damned if he caused it. He had already lost 6 Cerberus Units and over a hundred Stormtroopers to it when they found it and dumped it there. They would not lose anyone else.
He brought up the second report, which was of more immediate value, considering his recent business with Lumiere.
Tiaranthan Contract
Requirements:
Tiaranthan Colonial Parliament: Terminated
Colonial Fleet: Acquired
Assets acquired:
15 Combat Vessels, various classes
Tactical Marines (Pending number)
368.981 Colonial Refugees
Losses:
45.000 Credits
(Deposit for Rogue UNSC Pirates)
(Are to Be terminated upon Full Evac)
Contract Status: Pending
"With this influx of workforce and resources, we should be able to double our exports and speed up the construction of the Trains connecting Kyoto to the other cities." Gharst mused. He then turned to Hades. "Get me Phoenix online." He ordered.
Hades complied, and after only half a minute, the Sangheili Fleet Admiral Krata appeared. He was the one in charge of the construction of the living quarters of civilians, and the one in charge of the defense at the same time . "Phoenix Garrison Reporting, High Commander." He told Gharst.
"Expect additional Colonists to arrive soon, Fleet admiral. That should satisfy your need for new workers."
"Of course, High Commander." The Sangheili reported. "We are bringing the Primary systems online. The larger, more Permanent Orbital Defense Turrets have been partially assembled. A few more months at most, and the First Fleet can continue the routine Raids."
"Any other matters, Fleet Admiral?" Gharst asked.
"There are a few… issues, High Commander." Krata admitted. "We detected an Info leak from one of the Contractors we hired. We were able to contain the leak and began investigating it."
"Cease investigating." Gharst ordered. "terminate their employees planetside and send black-ops to the Contractor's HQ."
"Should I buy them out?" Krata asked.
"No. Simply… substitute their CEO. Reward those who agree to the terms, and… assist those that do not along."
"Understood, High Commander. We have been experiencing a few issues with power grids. Plasma Transfer is sluggish. New Plasma tubes would increase the output, and we are currently directing all new tubes to the dry-docks' power stations. A few civilians have also reported a lack of hot water and electrical failures."
"Civilians are our primary concern." Gharst immediately said. "Make all necessary arrangements, Fleet Admiral Krata. They did not leave their homes just to trade one hellhole for another." He paused, composing a message to Jan as he talked. "High Commander Coldrun will deliver the necessary tubes at the earliest possible time." He paused. "What is the overall status of Phoenix?"
"We have Terraformed most of the continent," Krata answered "and begun to uncover more ruins, likely Forerunner in origin, though we stalled at studying them beyond that hypotheses. Oxygen levels are at norm, and Shield Levels are holding steady. Legion HQ has undergone additional changes. We are also furnishing the new academy."
Gharst was pleased with that last part. Regardless of the threat seen at Aegis VII, he needed to think Long-term about the continued existence of the Legion. And that required more Stormtroopers. And since the Legion civilians appreciated them, and Cerberus, so much, what better solution than an academy to train future potential aspiring recruits?
"Kyoto's residential area's complete," Krata continued. "and most of the infrastructure has been placed. With additional workforce, I'm sure the TrainRails will be able to connect Kyoto to Cape town within a month, give or take a few weeks."
"Make sure no detail's overlooked." Gharst ordered. "I will inspect it personally when time permits it. I expect the full report will be sent to my Flagship."
"Yes Sir." Krata said, raising his fist in a Sang'Katarn salute, showing his origins. "Krata, signing out."
And with that, his image disappeared.
Gharst, pleased with the progress, moved to another image. One Recko and his Cerberus soldiers had recorded. It was of the thing they had encountered. And, with the intel they'd recovered about the Spirit of Fire incident with the Shield World, they were sure.
Though their enemy was of the same origin, Gharst was sure, this was a new variant. One evolved to perfection, without necessary oversight of a Gravemind. And yet, even the Gravemind had evolved on that planet, due to an unseen new Evolution unique to the Aegis system. One that corrupted everything, and drove men mad. It mutated those monsters to a point that… Gharst shuddered at the thought, and immediately stopped it. They didn't have the resources to take it out, even with all the people Gharst had at his command. Even the Jiralhanae Kronos would have trouble taking even one form down, as would Gharst's Jiralhanae lieutenant, Rothmus.
It was a wonder the Sovereign Colonies still were in that bloody system, despite the vast riches Aegis VII alone offered.
"Every means of escape for you has been cut." Gharst goaded, as he looked at the thing, a former human. It was mostly the same as an ordinary Combat form, but it resembled a human more than the ordinary variant. In lieu of Tentacles coming from one arm, it had Spikes coming out of both Wrists. It had decayed to the point it could be taken from an nineteenth Century Human Graveyard, and yet, it had taken the lives of so many Cerberus Soldiers.
"Every means of infecting others with your vile curse has been eliminated. Soon, the Sovereign Colonies will bury you, and Aegis will be history." Gharst boasted to himself with false confidence. It wouldn't do his men any good if they saw him looking at that thing in fear. They needed a strong leader, and a strong one wasn't paralyzed by fear.
"I'm ready." He lied. "Are you?"
The image fully materialized, showing the face of a deformed Human, the face twisted in agony.
Gharst shuddered, before the fear got hold of him again, and shut the image down. He went about to reading the full Phoenix report.
So. Something has managed to spook Gharst, and make the man that willingly tricks entire colonies into serving him, and eliminates entire families to those that wrong him, fear it with his entire heart. what will it be?
To be continued.
Gharst Omenlumin
